NEW HAVEN, Conn. – In the history of Yale softball, there probably hasn't been too many nicer forecasts for the home opener. The temperature is expected to be in the mid 50s under a mostly sunny sky when the Bulldogs play a doubleheader against Central Connecticut on Thursday. The first pitch of the first game at Dewitt Family Field is slated for 2 p.m.

Both teams should be used to the nice weather. Yale (3-5) is just back from eight days at the Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Bulldogs went 3-5 facing opponents who in some cases had played many more games so far this season. Central Connecticut (6-5), meanwhile, has already been to Arizona and Florida.

Yale had three players - Christy Nelson, Chelsey Dunham and Sarah Onorato - named to the Ivy League Honor Roll on Tuesday. Nelson leads the team in batting (.370), hits (10), doubles (4) and RBI (5). Dunham has all three Yale victories in the circle. She has pitched 29 innings and allowed only seven earned runs (1.69 ERA). Onorato, a freshman, has made an immediate impact. She is batting .350 with four runs scored.

The Blue Devils (6-5) have won five of their last six games after opening the season with four losses to fourth-ranked Arizona State. Macy Stefanski leads the team in batting (.346) and RBI (6). Freshman Laura Messina was named Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week on Monday afternoon. The Blue Devil pitcher tossed a pair of complete game victories at the USF Under Armour Showcase last weekend. Messina led a Blue Devil staff that posted a 4-1 record at the event. She is 3-0 over her last five games and has struck out 36 batters over 28.0 innings during that stretch.